The Children's Book in Around the World in 80 Books

Dec 31, 2015 Karen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016-chunky-book-challenge

This is the first book I have read by this author. I liked it, but I didn't love it. She has a wonderful writing style, so I understand the acclaim. It seemed as though Byatt couldn't decide if she wanted to write a novel or a British history of the time period she chose (1898 - 1919), so she wrote both. In between she added in children's stories. This book has everything: Art museums, pottery, puppets, Shakespearean plays, Peter Pan, Suffragettes, Socialists, Anarchists, and more free love than ...more

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Jul 08, 2018 Bogdan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: brits

I will write the full review after reading the second volume as well. For now just a few thoughts that I would like to keep them in here, in order not to forget them:
- I really liked the atmosphere and the immersion in turn of the century British society (19th to 20th)
- Sensual and emotional - very well chosen by editors in the blurb
- A little bit too long

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Dec 04, 2010 MichelleCH rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, 1001, group-reads, favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. There is so much happening in this story that it will take me days to process. Overall I loved it - my take from seeing other reviews is that you either do love it or hate it. It is a fantastical journey into the history and development of the Fabian socialist movement and Arts and Crafts era. There is much to ponder and enjoy.

Although it is packed with details and characters, I for one think all the detail is necessary to carry out the story well.

The novel details the lives of two families: the ...more

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Nov 27, 2018 Farhana Faruq rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction

Congratulations to me, for actually finishing this novel. There are things I liked about this book, but I definitely do NOT recommend it! It's 600 plus pages, a good editor could have easily cut it down to 200 pages, and it still wouldn't be much of a story but it would still have these awesome points:
- a whole puppet play, maybe two
- pottery manual (I actually loved this part, I can pretty much make my own vases now)
- three children's stories (with no endings)
- absolute gorgeous cover (....neve ...more

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Jan 02, 2011 Efe rated it liked it · review of another edition

Oh Lord, this is the book that completely doomed my aspirations to read 50 books in 2010. It was somewhat worth it, but not absolutely. I'm glad I read it, but it wasn't always enjoyable. I learned a huge amount, but never quite got sucked in which made it fairly difficult to get through. A more thorough and detailed review is in the works. ...more

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